Chapter 244 The Emperor's Reward (Third Update, Please Vote)
Shen Xu, wrapped up tightly, was carried by the Imperial Guards to Ninghui Palace.
Looking at that pale, terrified little face that resembled the emperor's by five or six points, Empress Xue could no longer control herself and rushed over to hug Shen Xu, crying uncontrollably.
She cried as she pulled at Shen Xu's head and then tore open his clothes to look at him.
"Your Majesty, it is Changsheng, he is Changsheng!"
"Chang Sheng has two cowlicks on his head and a white birthmark on his left waist, which looks like a little fish. Your Majesty, please take a look."
Empress Xue pointed to the birthmark on Shen Xu's left waist and cried so hard she almost fainted.
Upon seeing the birthmark, the emperor was largely convinced.
But since it concerned the royal bloodline, they summoned the imperial physician to perform a blood test to verify kinship.
Watching the two drops of blood in the bowl merge together, the emperor breathed a long sigh of relief and, with red eyes, embraced Empress Xue and Shen Xu together.
"Our prince has returned!"
Shen Xu glanced at Empress Xue, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and then at the Emperor, who was choking up several times. Perhaps it was his bloodline, but his wariness and confusion instantly dissipated.
On the way here, he had already heard Shen Cong recount what had happened.
It turns out he was the eldest prince of the current dynasty, his father was the current emperor, and his mother was the current empress.
His full name was Shen Xu, and his nickname was Changsheng.
It was because of the war a few years ago that he was accidentally lost, causing him to lose his memory.
At this moment, Shen Xu was held in the arms of the Emperor and Empress Xue. Gradually, he came to understand his identity and murmured softly.
"Father, Mother."
Empress Xue cried so hard she couldn't breathe until Shen Cong reminded her that Shen Xu was still injured.
Empress Xue managed to control her emotions and allowed the imperial physician to re-examine and bandage Shen Xu.
They then had all of Shen Xu's clothes changed, both inside and out, and made sure he wore the best of everything.
Soon, Shen Xu was settled in a magnificent palace, lying on a soft silk quilt, eating sweet and soft pastries, with four palace maids carefully serving him.
Empress Xue then sat down contentedly and spoke to her son while holding his hand.
Shen Xu looked around at everything, feeling as if he were in a dream.
Yesterday he was a beggar fleeing the streets in a panic, his life hanging by a thread; today he has become a noble prince!
He had initially thought the Zhao family was doing quite well and was considering how to stay with them.
Now that I've seen the things in the palace, I suddenly feel that the things in the Zhao family's palace are not good enough.
Shen Xu looked around as he responded to Empress Xue's words.
He then told Empress Xue that it was the wife and daughter of the Vice Minister of Works who had saved him.
You mean Zhao Wanqing?
Shen Xu nodded.
Empress Xue frowned slightly.
The last time the princess chose a companion, Zhao Wanqing took the blame for Ba Dou on her behalf.
She actually saved Changsheng this time, what a coincidence!
The emperor also found it quite a coincidence and asked Shen Cong about it.
"Why did you think of going to the Zhao family to find Changsheng?"
Shen Cong said, "Yesterday Li Nanke said that Changsheng was injured. I thought that if someone saved Changsheng, I would definitely ask a doctor."
Your brother immediately dispatched people to investigate the doctors' house calls in the city yesterday, and also sent people to inquire about the families of officials who appeared at the temple fair yesterday.
We happened to find out that the Zhao family had sent someone to invite the best doctor specializing in external injuries yesterday afternoon, so we took some people to the Zhao family to inquire.
The emperor listened and remained silent.
Empress Xue said, "So it was indeed the Song mother and daughter who saved Changsheng. Changsheng was so badly injured; if it weren't for their help, I'm afraid..."
Your Majesty should reward Madam Song and her daughter handsomely.
Shen Cong said, "What my sister-in-law said makes sense, but I think the information provided by Li Nanke is more useful."
"If she hadn't met Changsheng at the temple fair, and if she hadn't provided information about those who were hunting him, we don't know how long it would have taken us to find him."
At this point, he changed the subject.
"Your Majesty, during last night's raid on the Desheng Opera Troupe, did you catch the person who was chasing Changsheng?"
A single sentence reminded the emperor, who immediately gave Ding Wang instructions.
"Go and call Qin Fei over."
Qin Fei is the commander of the Imperial City Guard and a confidant of the emperor.
He arrived quickly and immediately reported the information he had gathered during his overnight interrogation.
"The people who were chasing the Crown Prince were indeed hiding among the servants of the Desheng platoon. I captured him and his accomplices, a total of five people."
Under severe torture, the five men refused to confess and all committed suicide by biting down on the poison in their mouths.
The emperor's expression changed drastically.
"Poison in their mouths? Are they assassins? An opera troupe actually harbored assassins?"
Qin Fei nodded and took out a piece of paper.
“Although they did not confess, I discovered that they all had the same pattern tattooed on their shoulders: a willow leaf.”
The emperor took the blueprints and looked at them, his expression changing slightly.
"Willow Leaf? It's a traitor to Prince Chen, it must be Prince Chen!"
"Of the five princes who participated in the rebellion, only Prince Chen loved to use willow leaf patterns. Whether it was on letter paper, folding fans, or household utensils, there would always be willow leaf patterns."
"It's definitely Prince Chen!"
The emperor held the paper with the willow leaf pattern drawn on it, his expression solemn.
"Back then, Prince Chen escaped by chance, but unexpectedly, six years later, his traitors have reappeared in Bianjing City!"
"I ask you, was that opera troupe thoroughly investigated?"
Qin Fei said, "I have ordered all the members of the Desheng Class to be detained and interrogated individually. There is no definite news yet."
According to the leader of the Desheng Troupe, these few members of the Chen Prince's rebellious faction were menial laborers they had recently recruited.
The emperor ordered: "Investigate the Desheng Opera Troupe thoroughly, as well as any officials in the court who frequently visit it. Anyone who has had contact with the rebels must be brought back for questioning."
"yes."
Qin Fei accepted the order and withdrew.
The emperor stared at the willow leaf pattern in his hand for a long while before finally nodding.
He said to Shen Cong, "You're right, Li Nanke really deserves more credit."
The little girl's mouth is like it's been blessed!
She said Changsheng would be found this morning, and indeed he was found this morning.
She suggested investigating the opera troupe, which unexpectedly uncovered the rebel faction of Prince Chen!
This little girl is not to be underestimated!
The more the emperor thought about it, the more he felt that Li Nanke was a lucky star.
"I promised to reward Li Nanke handsomely; how can I go back on my word? Ding Wang, draft the decree..."
Ding Wang drafted the imperial edict and immediately left the palace to proclaim it.
First, we arrived at the Zhao family's house.
When Song Hui learned that His Majesty had bestowed a reward upon her, she was overjoyed and dressed herself neatly before happily coming out to receive the imperial decree.
"The Zhao Song family mother and daughter were rewarded for saving the eldest prince. Zhao Song was granted the title of 'Shuren' (淑人) of the fourth rank, and was awarded a set of jade crown and embroidered robe, 10,000 taels of silver, two boxes of jade, and 100 bolts of colored silk."
Song Hui's eyes sparkled, and she was so excited she almost jumped up.
His Majesty has bestowed honors upon her!
She really made the right bet!
Once she has the title of Imperial Noblewoman, let's see who dares to look down on her!
Song Hui received the imperial edict, her hands trembling with excitement, and hurriedly stuffed a red envelope into Ding Wang's hand.
"Please do me the honor of coming in for a cup of tea, Eunuch Ding."
Ding Wang declined with a faint smile.
"No, I still need to go to the Marquis of Anping's residence to deliver the imperial decree."
The Marquis of Anping's residence?
Song Hui frowned slightly and slipped another red envelope over.
Smiling, she asked, "The wife of the Marquis of Anping's heir is my elder sister. I wonder what the imperial decree you've announced this time is...?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
